A Colchester man who threatened shop staff with a hypodermic needle that appeared to be filled with blood has been jailed.

Jason Aldis, 31, of Old School Lane, Elmstead Market, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday (September 14), where he admitted to two counts of robbery and one count of possession with intent to supply a class C drug.

On April 22 last year, at 4.50pm, Aldis entered a Boots Pharmacy in Tamarisk Way, Greenstead, in Colchester, demanding drugs while holding a syringe. He left with a quantity of medication.

At 7.10am the following day, he threatened a staff member with a syringe at Martins newsagents at the Fivefields Centre in Greenstead. He stole money, tobacco, e-cigarettes and confectionary.

Essex Police officers carried out a search of the area and made house to house enquiries. They were to an address in Berberis Walk where they arrested Aldis on suspicion of handling stolen goods and possession of drugs.